Press releases

13 Dec 2016

Over 200 events held as part of Inclusive Belarus campaign

Over 200 events held as part of Inclusive Belarus campaign MINSK, 13 December (BelTA) – More than 200 events have been held as part of the campaign “Inclusive Belarus Leaving No One Behind in Reaching Sustainable Development Goals” in October-December 2016, BelTA learned from the public information department of the UN Office in Belarus.

The wide-scale information campaign spanned Minsk and all regional centers of Belarus. The campaign focused on such important issues as inclusion, equality and equal opportunities for all regardless of age, gender, health, color of skin, religion or ethnicity.

The campaign was run by the United Nations in cooperation with state-run organizations and NGOs with the participation of representatives of business and international community. The event continues the initiative UN70 Belarus Express for Sustainable Development Goals and is aimed at raising the awareness in the society about discrimination, barriers, and inequality. It is also supposed to fight stigmatization and stereotyping with regard to vulnerable population groups.

Over 200 events held as part of Inclusive Belarus campaign The campaign kicked off on the United Nations Day on 24 October. A caravan of three buses with 740 people on board visited Grodno, Brest, Gomel, Mogilev, Vitebsk and Minsk. Each of the cities saw an intensive program of 201 events. They were attended by 15,630 people, including representatives of 11 vulnerable population groups. Every day of the campaign started from the signing of Declaration of Commitment to Leave No One Behind in Reaching Sustainable Development Goal10: Reduced Inequalities by the representatives of UNO agencies in Belarus and regional authorities.

After the official ceremony the guests could attend the exhibitions of the UNO agencies and organizations promoting inclusion. The exhibitions conveyed the spirit of inclusion and equal society, and told the stories of displaced persons. The guests could also learn more about the necessity to create a barrier-free environment for the disabled: the existing barriers, the inner strength of people with disabilities and the decisions made to reduce the barriers.